By Emily Randall
Northeast News
Oct. 27, 2010

One of the most unique events of the fall season returns to Historic Northeast again this Halloween weekend.

The Graveyard Run in Elmwood Cemetery, in its eighth year, will be at 9 a.m. this Saturday. The event combines serious and not-so-serious 5K runners and walkers, Halloween costumes and the beautiful, historic setting of Elmwood Cemetery, located at Truman Road and Van Brunt Boulevard.

“I run all over the world,” Race Director David Biersmith said, “and I have never, ever, ever heard of [a race] that’s entirely within a cemetery. A whole race in a cemetery on Halloween is unique.”

The runners will mostly be adults, but Biersmith said this is truly a family event. There will be a children’s race in addition to the 5K, a costume contest with prizes, food and prizes.

Last year, 220 racers came out for the event, and this year the Truman Road Corridor Association, which is putting on the event, hopes to attract 300 runners. The cost to participate is $25 up until Oct. 29 and $30 on the day of the race. There is a $5 discount for Northeast residents.

The TRCA will make a donation to the Elmwood Cemetery Board of Directors — hopefully a few thousand dollars, Biersmith said — with profits from the run. The cemetery directors use donations toward upkeep, including paying the massive mowing costs for the 43-acre site.

With the recent launch of the book “Elmwood Cemetery: Stories of Kansas City,” there has been a new wave of interest in the cemetery, which is resting place to some of the most prominent and historic figures of Kansas City’s past.

Biersmith said this has serendipitously translated to some added interest for the Graveyard Run, as well.

“The timing has just been beautiful on it because of that book,” he said.

A new dimension to this year’s run will be historic cemetery tours, which will take place after the race is complete.

Biersmith said sponsors and volunteers are still needed for the run. Contact him at (816) 214-4477 to learn more.